Laredo Bucks Claim 2003-2004 Ray Miron President's Cup Title
April 29, 2004 - Central Hockey League (CHL) News Release
In front of a capacity crowd of 8,002 at the Laredo Entertainment Center Wednesday evening, with an additional 2,000 watching outside the facility on projection screens, the Laredo Bucks captured the 2003-2004 Ray Miron President's Cup Championship with a dramatic 3-2 Game Seven overtime win over the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. For the fourth time in combined CHL/Western Professional Hockey League history the championship series required the maximum seven games, and the Bucks title was the first decided in overtime of Game Seven. Laredo also became the first team in CHL/WPHL Finals history to emerge victorious after trailing in the series three games to one.
Laredo defenseman Dion Hyman ended the contest 8:43 into overtime to give the Bucks the championship in just their second season of play. Bucks netminder David Guerrera, the CHL Rookie of the Year this season, was honored as the post-season Most Valuable Player, posting a mark of 8-2 in the playoffs along with a 1.65 goals against average and a save percentage of .934. In clinching Game Seven, Guerrera turned aside 40 of 42 shots.
"Laredo's championship concludes an exceptional season for the Central Hockey League," said CHL President Brad Treliving. "We congratulate both the Laredo Bucks and the Bossier- Shreveport Mudbugs teams and organizations on staging an outstanding championship series showcasing tremendous competitiveness, talent and fan support." The seven game CHL championship series welcomed a total of 48,598 fans, averaging 6,943 spectators per game.
Next up for the Central Hockey League will be the annual Spring Conference, slated for June 3rd through 5th in Phoenix, Arizona. Departmental breakout sessions are scheduled, as well as Governor's Meetings and the 2004 CHL Awards Banquet. Numerous topics, including 2004-2005 alignment, alterations to playing rules and structure, will be determined.
The Central Hockey League has now completed its' 12th season of play, and again led all North American minor pro "AA" leagues in average attendance during the regular season, welcoming an average of 4,501 fans per contest. In the 2003-2004 Ray Miron President's Cup playoffs, attendance climbed additionally, finishing with an average of 4,825 per post-season game.
Central Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2004
- Laredo Bucks Claim 2003-2004 Ray Miron President's Cup Title - CHL
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